Russian woman turned her back on her homeland: that’s why the chess player now plays for Switzerland

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It has been exactly two years since Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine. Two years of fear, destruction and death for the Ukrainian people. Two years full of uncertainty for Russian athletes. Many of them have turned their backs on their homeland, showing their disgust at the war of aggression.

Russian chess grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk (39) is one of them. She has been competing for Switzerland since the autumn. And this despite the fact that she has never lived in Switzerland. Who is the new star of the chess team?

Kosteniuk grew up in poor conditions in Russia. Her family sacrificed almost everything to further her career. Successfully. As a twelve-year-old she won the World Championships in her age category. At the age of twenty, she earned the title of Grandmaster, the highest honor in chess. The women’s World Cup title followed four years later. With the Russian national team she won ten gold medals and three times at the Chess Olympiad.

A world collapses

When Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, the world champion’s world collapsed. ‘It hurt so much. “I didn’t understand what was going on,” she tells Blick. She didn’t think it was fair that Russian athletes were suddenly banned. Millions of Russians, like her, are against the war, Kosteniuk explains. But such statements are sensitive. The situation in Russia was frightening. She wants everyone to be able to make decisions, regardless of his or her passport and regardless of the regime’s orders.

Shortly after the outbreak of war and shortly before her twentieth anniversary with the national team, she switched to the neutral flag of the International Chess Federation FIDE. A change of nation seemed far away at the time, as it normally cost 10,000 euros. Because the Russian association suddenly considered itself part of Asia and no longer part of Europe, players were allowed to change associations free of charge for six months. And because Kosteniuk’s ex-husband is Swiss, her premiere with the Swiss flag on her chest took place earlier than expected. In November she played the European Championships with the chess team. The result was a top ten result. “A historic success for Swiss women,” she says proudly.

Switzerland and chess have a lot in common

Kosteniuk can well imagine that she would exchange her current residence in France for Switzerland if the opportunity arose. She would like to make the King’s game better known in this country. Even though it doesn’t seem like it, Switzerland is a chess country through and through. «Many historical tournaments took place here. And chess as a sport is ideal for Switzerland.” What does kosteniuk mean by that? «Classical chess is a very slow, conservative game. You have to stop and focus. These qualities are valued in Switzerland.”

And there is something else that impresses the Swiss chess grandmaster: the Swiss national anthem. “The beauty of the Swiss Alps is praised. It is a peaceful anthem.” Unlike many other anthems, which often focus on the wars won and one’s own actions, says Alexandra Kosteniuk. And adds: “A country does not become great by conquering everything. But by freedom of expression. A government that accepts criticism. A good standard of living. Culture and nature that are protected. I think you can find all this in Switzerland.”

Source : Blick